UV rating tags for sun protective clothing
What is the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) tag?
UPF tags are attached to sun protective clothing, including hats and accessories (such as glove, scarf, sleeve, legging, wrap, neck flap). ARPANSA's UPF tag displays the Australian government trade mark and carries a UPF rating that is compliant to the Australian Standard for sun protective clothing. This helps consumers identify the best UV protective clothing.
Garments with a UPF rating give consumers peace of mind and confidence. They can trust the sun protection provided by products displaying the tag.
How do you label clothing with the sun protection tag?
Step 1. Test your product for sun protection
Complete the UPF testing request form and send samples to ARPANSA for testing
Fabric sample sizes of 1 m x 50 cm are preferred (20 cm x 30 cm is the minimum size)
For garments and hats, one product is required
We test the products in 10 business days, usually less
You will receive your test report via email.
Step 2. Apply for a licence to use the sun protection trademark
Fill out the SPC Trade Mark Licence Application below:
Gain approval to use the swing tags.
Step 3. Order swing tags to label your products
Once you have gained approval, you can order swing tags and start using them on your products.
How much does it cost?
Sun Protection certification trade mark licence fee:
| Annual licence fee (including Australian GST) | Annual licence fee (excluding Australian GST) |
|---|---|
| $390.00 | $354.55 |
Volume-discounted pricing for ARPANSA swing tags:
| Quantity of tags ordered | Number of packs | Cost per pack of 500 tags (including Australian GST) | Cost per pack of 500 tags (excluding Australian GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 - 6,000 | 1 - 12 | $57.50 | $52.27 |
| 6,500 - 12,000 | 13 - 24 | $56.00 | $50.91 |
| 12,500 - 30,000 | 25 - 60 | $41.50 | $37.73 |
| 30,500 - 90,000 | 61 - 180 | $40.50 | $36.82 |
| 90,500+ | 181+ | $39.00 | $35.45 |
Swing tags:
- Swing tags are shrink-wrapped in bundles of 500 tags
- The minimum order quantity is 500 tags
- Specify your preferred method of delivery on the order form
- Delivery costs are additional to the cost of the tags.
Australian companies pay the charges in the GST-included column. Non-Australian companies pay the charges in the GST-exempt column. Payment is in Australian dollars.
Case study - Jo's outdoor adventure chain
Jo runs an outdoor adventure chain on the far north coast of NSW and prides herself on importing quality garments. Jo wants to test samples from her overseas suppliers and undertakes the following steps:
- Jo tests 10 garments at a cost of $1,640
- Jo decides to import the highest performing garments so she can use UPF labels on the garment
- Jo applies for a licence at a cost of $390
- Jo orders 40,000 swing tags at a cost of $3,240
- Jo’s total out of pocket expense is $5,270
- The total swing tag price per garment is approximately $1.32
How do I apply for a licence to use the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark?
To obtain a licence to use the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark, complete and sign the application form, Schedule 3, which is available from the document titled Rules governing the use of the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark.
- Describe the type of your products and list all of the commercial names that will be associated with the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark
- Attach copies of ARPANSA UPF test reports, or a list of ARPANSA test report numbers, for all types and colours of materials you intend to label. The test reports should not be older than 12 months
- Return the application form to ARPANSA along with the licence application fee
- ARPANSA will send you a contract to be signed and returned. The licence will take effect from the date the signed contract is received by ARPANSA
- Do not complete Schedule 4, it is only an example of a Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark licence.
Any additional materials tested by ARPANSA during the licence period will automatically be added to the licence.
What if I want to use the image of the ARPANSA tag electronically?
Note that any use of the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark apart from ARPANSA UPF tags must have prior approval in writing from ARPANSA. If you are considering a non-swing tag use of the trade mark (e.g. on website or social media), fill out the form titled ‘Application for a specialised use of the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark’ and email it to spc-trademark@arpansa.gov.au for review by the ARPANSA legal office.
What are the things that I need to be aware of as a licensee?
The name of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) may only be used on products, promotional material and websites if ARPANSA has given specific written authorisation. Licensees who wish to use images of this trade mark on websites, in promotional material or on packaging in situations where the ARPANSA UPF swing tags cannot be used, must first apply to ARPANSA for approval of each use.
Companies that use the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark are responsible for assuring that the trade mark is only associated with products made from materials listed on their licence, and that products are labelled with the correct UPF ratings as measured by the ARPANSA UVRS laboratory. Products made from two or more materials must be labelled with the UPF rating of the lowest-rated material. Products made of a combination of rated and non-rated materials cannot be labelled with the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark. For more information refer to ARPANSA’s policy on use of its name in association with products.
The sun protective clothing standard, AS 4399, has requirements for body coverage. You should ensure that your products comply with these requirements before labelling with ARPANSA UPF tags.
ARPANSA operates a compliance monitoring scheme to ensure products are labelled in accordance with the rules governing the use of the Sun Protection Certification Trade Mark. This involves sampling of licensees’ products regularly to ensure that the correct rating labels have been applied.
More information
To find out more about the standard for sun protective clothing visit our Australian and New Zealand sun protective clothing standard page.
